Zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks for kids around Dallas

DFW has two major zoos, two aquariums and a wildlife park where giraffes eat out of your car window, which is more animal options than most cities. These are ranked by what a two-year-old actually gets to see: feeding giraffes, brushing goats, a sloth crossing overhead, a shark tunnel.

The giraffe feeding deck and children's zoo at the Dallas Zoo are the toddler highlight, and the DART Red Line stops at the gate; the Fort Worth Zoo ranks among the best in the country, with a train and a carousel, and is worth the hour's drive. On rainy or scorching days, walk the rainforest ramp at the Dallas World Aquarium in the West End or the ocean tunnel at SEA LIFE in Grapevine Mills. The Heard sanctuary in McKinney has moving dinosaurs on its forest trail from September to February and live snakes and raptors indoors. Once a year, make the drive to Fossil Rim in Glen Rose to feed giraffes and zebras along seven miles of road.

• 6 places
• 5 stroller-friendly
• closest is 25 min away